National Shop Stewards Network: Organise to save jobs

National Shop Stewards Network

Organise to save jobs

With dark clouds gathering over the car industry the National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) has not just stood by.

Linda Taaffe, NSSN national secretary

Networkers in Southampton have been enthusiastically supporting workers in the Transit plant to get a fighting campaign going against the possibility of closure. Last week’s steering committee heard first hand about the state of play there from Nick Chaffey.

Everyone recognised that there was an urgent need to get car workers together on a national basis to defend thousands of jobs, affecting many more thousands of families. Such a vital campaign cannot be left simply to union bureaucracies. A helping hand is needed.

Rob Williams, NSSN vice chair and convenor in the ex-Ford car parts plant in South Wales, took the initiative and proposed that the NSSN organise a national meeting for car workers and stewards. Those in the component and ancillary industries would also be invited to hammer out a plan of action to defend jobs, terms and conditions.

The provisional plan is to hold it in Birmingham, possibly on 14 February – but it could be earlier.

We appeal to readers of The Socialist to get this message out now to any car factories in your area.

The traditional Christmas shut down will be extended to a month, or even six weeks this year, so, although February might seem a long time away, there is no time to lose.

  • See the website for information www.shopstewards.net.